Fire-alarm system



(No Model.)

PIRE ALARM SYSTEM.

No. 477,068. Patented June V14., 1892.

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THE cams pinzas co., PHoTumo., wnsmmrron. D. c.

(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 2. L. G. ROWAND.

PIRE ALARM SYSTEM. No. 477,068. Patented June 14, 1892.

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L. G. ROWAND. PIRE ALARM SYSTEM.

No. 477,068. Patented June 14, 1892.

(No Model.)

7 Sheets-Sheet 4.

L. G. ROWAND.l PIRE ALARM SYSTEM.

Patented June 14, 1892..

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L. G. ROWQAND. FIRE lALARM SYSTEM.

No. 477,068. Patented June 14, 1892.

(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 6.

L. G. ROWAN'D.

FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.

No. 477,068. Patented June 14,1892.

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4 L. Gf ROWAND. FIR-B ALARM SYSTEM.

No. 477,068. Patented'June 14, 1892.

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LEVIS G. RAOVAND, OF CAMDEN, NElV JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO HENRY C, TERRY, OFPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FIRE-ALARM SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 477,068, dated J' une14, 1892.' Application tiled December 14, 1891. Serial No. 415,053. (Nomodel.)

To all whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, LEWIS G. ROWAND, a citizen of the United States,residing at Camden, New Jersey, have invented certain Improvements inFireAlarm Systems, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in that class of fire-alarmsystems in which an alarm is sounded at a central station or othersuitable pointby thecompletion of a circuit by a thermostator switch orfrom some disarrangement of the circuit caused either by the groundingor breaking of one or other of the main or local lines in a buildingconnected with the system, the arrangement of the system being such thatdifferent alarms are sounded from different causes and the recording ofthe alarms so sounded will distin guish an alarm of fire from an alarmcaused by the breaking or grounding of one or other ot' the circuits.

In carrying out my invention I propose to place in the building one ormore series of systems provided at suitable intervals with thermostatsor switches, the lines all terminating at a box or local station in thebuilding, atwhich box the main-line wires are connected and whichcarries the alarms, local batteries, and connections, this box beingpreferably placed on the exterior of the building for the convenience ofthe firemen, linelnen, and inspectors. In this box or local station is aseries of instruments, hereinafter termed mechanical signaling-alarms,which are employed to sound different signals arising from differentcauses, and a series of annunciators are employed to show on what flooror circuit the alarm has been sounded from.

This system is especially arranged with a View of sounding an alarm ofti re under various conditions of the wires or circuits, which may beenumerated as follows: first, with main outside line broken; second,with main outside line grounded; third, with main outside lineshort-circuited; fourth, with main outside line broken and grounded;fifth, with main outside linebroken, grounded, and shortcircuited;sixth,with main outside line grounded and sl'xort-circuited; seventh,with main outside line broken and short circuitcd; eighth, with maininside line broken; ninth,

circuited; nineteenth, with main outside lineV grounded and main insideline broken and short-circuited; twentieth, with main outside lineshort-circuited and main inside line broken; twenty-first, with mainout-side line shortcircuited and main inside line short-circnited;twenty-second, with main outside line shortcircuited and main insideline broken and short-circuited; twenty-third, with main outside linebroken and grounded and main insidelinebroken; twenty-fourth, with mainoutside line broken and grounded and main inside line short-circuited;twenty-fifth, with main outside line broken and grounded and maininsidelinebroken and short-circuited; twentysixth, with main outsideline broken', grounded, and short-circuited and main inside line broken;twenty-seventh, with main outside line broken,grounded,andshort-eircuited and main inside line short-circuited;twentyeighth, With main outside line broken, grounded, andshort-circuitcd and main inside line broken and short-circuited;twenty-ninth, with main outside line grounded and shortcircuited andmain inside line broken; thirtieth, with main outside line grounded andshort-circuited and main inside line shortcireuited; thirty-Iirst, withmain outside line grounded and short-cireuited and main inside linebroken andshort-circuited; thirty-second, with main outside line brokenand short-circuited and main inside line broken; thirtythird, with mainoutside line broken and short-circuited and main inside lineshortcircuitcd; thirty-fourth, with main outside line broken andshort-circuited and main inside line broken and short-circuited; thirty-IOO fifth, With main outside line broken and main inside line broken andbuilding-line broken; thirty-sixth, with main outside line broken, maininside line short-circuit-ed, and buildingline short-circuited;thirty-seventh, with main outside line broken, main inside line brokenand short-cireuited, and building-linebroken and short-circuited;tliirty-eighth, with main outside line grounded, main inside linebroken,and building-line broken; thirty-ninth, with main outside line grounded,main insideline short-circuited, and building-line short-circuited;fortieth, with main outside line grounded, main inside line broken andshorteircuited, building-line broken and short-circuited; fortytirst,with main outside line short-circnited and main inside line broken andbuilding-line broken; forty-second, With main outside lineshort-circuited, main inside line short-circnited, and building--lineshortcircuited; forty-third, with main outsideline short-circuited, maininside line broken and short-circuited, and building-line broken andshort-circuited, forty-fourth, With main outside line broken andgrounded, main inside line broken, and building-linebroken; fortyifth,With main outside line grounded, main inside line sl'iort-circuited, building-line shortcircuited; forty sixth, main outside line grounded andbroken, main inside line broken and short-circuited, building-linebroken and short-circuited; forty-seventh, main outside line broken,grounded, and short-circuited, main inside line broken, andbuilding-line broken; forty eighth, main outside line broken, grounded,and short-circuited, main inside line short-circuited, building-lineshortcircuited; forty ninth, main outside line broken, grounded, andshort-circuited, main inside line broken andshort-eircuited,building-line broken and short-circuited; tiftieth,

main outside line grounded and short-circuited, main inside line broken,building-line broken; fifty-first, main outside line grounded andshort-circuited, main inside line shortcircuited; fifty-second, mainoutside line grounded and short-circuited, main insideline broken andshort-eircuited,`and building-line broken and short-cireuited;fifty-third, main outside line broken and short-circuited, main insideline broken, building-line broken; fifty-fourth, main outside linebroken and short-eircuited, main inside line short-circuited,building-line short-circuited; fiftyfit'th, main outside line broken andshort-circuited, main inside line broken and short-circuited,building-line broken and short-circuited; lifty-sixth, main inside linebroken, building-line broken; titty-seventh, main inside linebroken,building-line short-circuited; fifty-eighth, main inside linebroken,buildingline broken and short-eircuited; fifty-ninth, main insideline short-eircnited, building-line broken; sixtieth, main inside lineshort-circuited, building-line short-circuited; sixtyiirst, main insideline short-circuited, building-line broken and short-circuited;sixty-second, main inside line broken and short-eircuit.ed,building-linebroken; siXty-third,main inside line broken and short-circuited,building line short-circuited; sixty-fourth, main inside line broken andshort-circuited, buildingline broken and short-circuited; sixty-fifth,main outside line broken, building -line broken; sixty-sixth, mainoutside line broken, building-line short-cireuited; sixty-seventh, mainoutside line broken, building line broken and shortcircuited;sixtyeighth, main outside line grounded, building-line broken; sixtyninth, main outside line grounded, building-line short-circuited;seventieth, main outside line grounded, buildingline broken andshort-cireuited seventy-first, main outside line short-circuited,building line broken; seventy-second, main outside line short-circuited,building-line short-circuited; seventy-third, main outside lineshorteircuited, building-line broken and short-circuited; seventyfourth, main outside line broken and grounded, building-line broken;seventy-fifth, main outside line broken and grounded, building-lineshort-circuited; seventy-sixth, main outside line broken and grounded,building-line broken and shortcircuited; seventy-seventh, mainoutsideline broken, grounded, and short-circuited, building-line broken;seventy-eighth, main outside line broken, grounded, and short-circuited,building-line short-circuited; seventy-ninth, main outside linebroken,grounded, andshortcircuited, building-line broken andshort-circuited; eightieth, main outside line grounded and shortcircuited, building -line broken; eighty-first, main outside linegrounded and short-circuited, building-line short-circnited;eighty-second, main outside line grounded and short-circuited,building-line broken and short-circuited; eighty-third, Imain outsideline broken and short-circuited, building-line broken; eightyfourth,main outside line broken and shortcircuited, building-lineshort-circuited; eighty-fifth, main outside line broken andshort-circuited, building-line broken and short-circuited. In theaccompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a diagram of the house orbuilding system, together with a diagram of the local station or box andthe instruments employed for sending the alarm. Fig. 2 is a generaldiagram of the instruments employed at the central receiving-station.Fig. 3 is an elevation of one of the mechanical signaling-` alarms. Fig.-1 is a longitudinal section ot the same on the line 0c x, Fig. 5. Fig.5 is an end View of the instrument, looking in the direction of thearrow, Fig. 3. Fig. G isaperspective View of a portion of theinstrument.Figs. 7, S, and 9 are detached Views illustrating different positions ofportions of the mechanical signaling-alarm. Figs. 10, 11,12, 13, 14, and15 areperspective Views of different forms of circuit-breakers used onthe mechanical signaling-alarms. Figs. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 arediagrams illustrating the construction IZO `o'f'tleNcircuit-breakersshown in Figs. 10, 11,l

12, 1,5;"14, and 15, respectively. Fig-22 is a. plan view of thetelegrapbkey for communieating to the central station. Fg.23 isasideyview of the same.

#the relayin the local station. Fig; 25 is a sectionahview of the same.on the line 'y y, Fig."2'4f. 26 is a'sideview,partly in sec-2. tion',of 'on'eof the tioor-annunciators'. Fig.; 27 is a view of a form of'lightning-arrester which may be employed, and Fig. 28 isa sectional viewof one form of thermostat which may be employed inv carrying out myinvention. Y `,In the box or local station are placed three -fmechanical signaling-alarms of preciselysimilar construction, butprovided with' circuitbreakers of derent character, as more fullydescribed hereinafter. 'lhese alarms are for* convenience marked 1, 2,and 3, respectively, in the diagram Fig. 1,and each has atrain of gears,an electro-magnet normally preventing the movement of the same, and twocircuitrbreakers, as will be more clearly seen on ref- 'being identical,land the different uses to:

which they are put depending altogether on the construction of thecircuit-breakers they carry.'l The circuitfbreakers 4 and 5 (shown inFigs. 10 and 11) are carried by the alarm 1, the circuit-breakers l6 and7, Figs. 12 andl v13, are carried bythe alarm 2, and the circuit`breakers 8 and 9,. Figs. 4 and 5, are carried by the alarm 3, as shownin diagram'Fig. 1.

10 10 'are suitable side plates, inwhichare v journaled the shafts ofthe train of gears which actuate the mechanical alarm, 11 representingthe main or primary shaft, which carries a spring 12 and a gear-wheel13, the teeth of which mesh with the teeth of a gear-wheel14, the shaft15 of which extends outside the frame-work and carries one or other ofthe circuit-breakers 5, 7,or 9. 'lhe gear-`wheel13 also serves to imparta rotative motion at a greater speed to a shaft 16 through the medium ofa pinion 17, the shaft 16 being rotated four times while the shaft 15 isrotated once.

The shaft 16 extends outside thev framework and carries one or other ofthe circuitbreakers 4, 6, or 8. (Illustrated, respectively, in Figs.10,12, and 14.) 0n ashaft 18 is mounted'a pinion engaging with the teethof a wheelk o n't'hefs'haft 16, and also mounted upon this shaft is anescapement-wheel 19, with which eigages an ordinary -form of escapement20, fixed upon a shaft 21, on which is also carried the governing-fan22.

Fig. 24 is a p lanview of The gear-wheel 14, which is vmounted. upon`the shaft-15, is provided, preferably on its op- :posite faces, withdisks23 and 24, in @which are cut notches 25 26, the4 notch 25 in thediskf 23 being at an angle of about ninety-.twodagrecs from the'notch 26,in .the dskf24. '-11 Suitably mounted in the .frame-work 'is a.

vided at itsv lower end with an armature 29 `underthe control of anelectromagnet 30,

the upper end of the lever 28 beingnormally in engagement with one ofthe wings of the' governing-fan 22 and acting through the fan to preventthe movementof the train of gears. On this shaft.27 is likewise securedan arm shaft 2'7, on which is carriedz a lever 28, pro- 31, the upperend of which is normally in engagement with the notch 25 in the disk 23fand being held inengagemeut therewith by a spring 32,- extending fromthe lower end of the lever 28 toa tixed point on the frame, theV tensionof the spring being adjusted by any suitable mechanism. f

On a shaft 33, extending between'the opposite sides of the frame, ismounted a lever 34, one end of which is provided with a toe 35, normallypressed against the periphery of the disk 24, and held in contacttherewith by a sprlng 36, the tension of which may be adjusted.v Thistoe 35 is adapted to enter into engagement with the groove or notch 26in the ldisk 24.

The various circuit-breakers shown in Figs. 10 to 15, inclusive, aresecured'to theprojecting shafts 15 16 ofthe mechanical signalingalarms,two circuit-breakers being used on leach alarm.,v Tosnitable insulatedblocks 37 ICO 38 arev secured contact-brushes, which bearY upon thecircuit-breakers, to which the vari'- ous line-wires are connected 'andthrough which the circuits are alternatelymade and broken y in sendingsignal-alarms.

Referring now to the diagram Fig. 1, 39

represents the thermostats or switches, which are placed at suitableintervals throughout the building, the series of thermostats or switcheson each floor being preferably in one circuit, and any number ofcircuits for different doors may be used, although 'for convenience Ihave illustrated but three in the dia gram Fig. 1.

In the diagram Fig. 1 the `heavy straight lines indicate the main line,through which the current is constantly passing, the direction of thecurrent being indicated by arrows for the sake of convenience, althoughthe direction. of current may of course be reverse, if required. Thebuilding-circuits are indicated by straight lines, the ground-wires areindicated by heavy waved lines, and the testing-lines for testing thecircuit are indicated in, light waved lines.

40 is the main outside 1in e, leading from the central station to thelightning-arrester 4l in.

'the box orA local station.

yno

-alarm in case of'a broken wire in the main' inside line.' 44is a branchof the main circuit, which is used when telegraphing to the centralstation, the operation of the telegraphkey causing the short-circuitingof the main inside line, so that the current passes through the branch44 to the key and 'from thence by a ground-line 45 to the earth.

The general arrangement of the main inside line in the building is suchthat it parallels the house-line of each iioor and is in electricalcontact with one of the terminals of each thermostat or switch 39.l Thehouse-lines on the various oors'formin themselves complete circuitsextending from terminal to terminal of the variousthermostats orswitches, and the circuit being normally closed through a switch 46 anda contact-point 47. The switch 46 may be in the form of a spring thetendency of which is to keep it at all times in contact with thecontact-point 47 and maintain nor-I mally a closed circuit for eachfioor.

When one ot' the'house-lines or one of the building-lines is groundedaccidentally, the alarm 1 is operated. In sounding the alarm of fire thealarm 1 is first operated, and this vfis is followed by the operation ofthe alarm 2; but when one of the main inside lines is broken the alarm 3only is operated.

In following out the'house-circuit from the first floor throughthealarms, 48 represents a wire extending from the contact-point 47 tothe helix of an electro-magnet 48- of anannunciator, preferably of thecharacter illustrated in Fig. 26, and thence extends to one of thecontact-brushesy marked49. Thence the circuit is established through theconducting portion of the circuit breaker 6, through a brush 50, to awire-51, which passes from thence to a switch-lever 52, normally incontact with a contact-piece 53 and provided with a wire 54, extendingto a brush 55, which is at all times in electrical contact with theconducting-surface of the circuit-breaker 5. (Illustrated in Figs. iland 17.) The circuitis continued through a brush 56 and a wire 57 to anAelectro-magnet 30, which controls the mechanical alarm l. From theelectro-magnet 30 the circuit extends to a battery 58, preferablylocated inA the box in which all of the instruments are placed,.and fromthence passes to the ground-wire 59, leading to the main ground-wire 45.The circuit of the second door is formed by a wire 60, extending fromits contact-point 47 through the helix of an electro-magnet48b of itsannunciator to a brush 61 on the Icircuit breaker 6, the circuit beingth rough the circuit-breaker and the brush 50 to the electro-magnet 30of the mechanical alarm 1 and the wire -51, as previously described. Thecircuit of the third floor is through the wire 62, through the helixofits electro-magnet 48c of the annunciator and a brush 63, through thebrush 50, and from thence through the wire 51, as before described.These comprise the circuits, which are normally closed and which whenbrought into contact with the main inside wire 42, constantly incircuit, will cause the energizing of the annunciatormagnet in thepropercircuitand the energizing of the controlling-magnets 30 of themechanical alarms 1 and 2.

The energizing of the electro-magnet 30 of the mechanicalsignaling-alarm 2 will (referring to Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6) cause theattraction of the armature 29 and will move the legears and will effectthe movement of the circuit-breakers in the direction ofthe arrow,

Fig. 3. The sounding oiV an alarm in this manner will first be describedwith reference to the mechanical 'signaling-,alarm 1, since all thelocal connections of that alarni have been described. The main insideline connection with this alarm is through contact-brushes 64, 65,66,and 67, the brushes 64 65 being` used on the lower side 68 of thecircuit-breaker on the ingoing wire 42 and the brushes 66 67 being usedon the upper side 69 of the circuitbreaker on the outgoing wire 42. Thetwo portions Iof the 'circuit-breaker. are insulated from each other;but in rotating both parts come into electrical contact with a -brush'70, connected to the ground-wire 59, so as to make and break the circuitthrough the ground to the central receivi 11g-'station The additionalbrushes 66 67 and the double circuit-breakers are used in case of thereversal of the current, which will be done under circumstanceshereinafter set forth. The ground-wire brush 70, it will be observed,normallyrests on an insulated portion 7l of the circuit-breaker 4, asshown. As previously described, the circuitbreakers 4, 6, and 8 arerotated four times at each operation of the mechanical alarms, and

as they rotate will cause the breaking and making of the circuit of themain inside line- 42, the circuit being made'and broken as many` timesas it is required to signal the number by which thebuilding is known atthe central receiving-station. The present alarm is constructed tosignal the number f 42, and the circuit-breakers 4, 6, and 8 aretherefore provided with`a number of insulated portions which break andmake the lcircuit four times, rest, and then break and make the circuittwice, thus signaling the number 42. Considering now that one of thelocal building-lines-say on the iirst floor-be accidentally grounded, acircuit will be established through that floor-line, switch 46, wire 48,annunciator magnet 48,- brush 49, circuitbreaker 6, bru'sh 50,4 wirel51,switch 52, wire 54, brush 55, circuit-breaker 5, brush 56, magnet 30,battery 58, to earth, resulting in the energizing of the magnets 48a and30,. the release of the train of gears, and the consequent I-Io rotationof the circuit-breaker 4. At thetrst -lar circuit on which the alarm isbeing sounded. This closing of the circuit also raises the tape intocontact with the printing-disk of the usual printer 73, Fig. 2, and itremains in contact with the tape while the main circuit is broken by thepassage ot' the insulated portions of the circuit-breaker under thebrushes 65 6G, the circuit being broken four times,

`then twice, and then for a comparatively long time while theground-line brush is passing over the insulated portion 71, printing along dash and indicating a ground on the house-line. The circuit-breaker-t rotates four times and sounds the alarm, printing on the tape at thecentral receiving-station the number of the box four distinct times, andbetween the numbers prints a long dash, signifying that the line is introuble. XVhile the circuit-breaker e is completing its fou rrevolutions the circuit-breaker 5 has nearly completed one revolution,the rotation of the train of gears being stopped (when the metallicportion 7i of the circuit-breaker5 comes into the same position as thatpreviously occupied by the portion of the circuitbreaker) by theengagement of the toe 35 of the lever 3 with the groove or notch 2G ofthe disk 2l. The position of the circuitbreaker is such that the circuitthrough the brushes 55 5G between the wires 54 and 57 is broken and thecircuit is established between the line 5li and the brush 55 through theportion 7a of the circuit-breaker, a brush 76, and a wire 77 to a brush7S, through the metallic surface of the circuit-breaker 7 to the brush79, and from thence by the wire 8O through the controlling-magnet 30 ofthe mechanical signaling-alarm 2, the circuit from thence passinnr tothe wire 8l to the main ground-wire 4o. After the mechanicalsignaling-alarm l has been operated by the grounding ot the housewire(the system being energized by the local batteries) the signal will stopat this point, for the electro-magnet 30 of the mechanicalsignaling-alarm 2 will not be energized, since in the circuit extendingbetween the circuitbreaker and the circuit-breaker 7 there is nobattery, the only means of energizing said circuitbeing by a connectionwith the main inside line. The energizing of this circuit, therefore,will only occur in case of an alarru of fire, when the thermostat orswitch has operated to connect the main inside line with one of thehouse-lines.

Coming now to thecircuit-breaker G, which is operated only in case otfire, the circuitbreaker proper is divided into three portions 82 83 84,the portion 82 being provided with contact-brushes 85 86 on the ingoiugwire of the main inside line t2 and acting to make and break the circuitthrough said line when rotated. The portion 83 is precisely the same inconstruction as the portion 82, is insulated therefrom, and is providedwith contactbrushes 87 88 on the main outgoing wire. The portion Stofthis circuit-breaker is comparatively broad and has aconducting-surface extending entirely around its circumference, on

which bears the brush 50. i This circuitbreaker receives the brushes49,61, and 63 of the rst, second, and third floor circuits,respectively, and is made broad enough to take in as many brushes asthere are circuits in the system. On the surface of this portion of thecircuit-breaker are blocks of insulatinp` material, which act to breakthe circuit and sound the number of the building, 42, the blocks beingof the same character and in precisely the same positions with respectto the brushes as the blocks of insulating material on the portions S283. This portion Si is likewise provided with stepped ribs of insulatingmaterial 89, 90, and 91, 011e rib being used for each floor and being soplaced on the circuit-breaker that if the tire-alarm be on the circuitof the first iioor its brush Lt9 will cross the rib S9. It the alarm beon the secondtloor circuit, the brush Gl of that circuit will cross boththe ribs S9 and 90 and the circuit between the brush 6l and the brush 50will be twice broken in addition to the numbcrof breaks required insounding the alarm. If the alarm be on the third floor, the circuitbetween the brush G3 and the brush 50 will be broken three times by theribs 89, 90, and 91.

The circuit-breaker 7 is so arranged that a circuit is alwaysestablished from wire 77 and a bl'ush 78 to the conducting portion ofthe circuit-breaker 92, which projects from the main ring and on whichrests the brush 79, connected to wire 80 and the helix of theelectro-magnet 30 of the mechanical alarm 2; but after the circuit hasbeen energized and the train of gears released the first movement ofcircuit-breaker 7 breaks t-he connection between brushes 78 and 79 andestablishes the circuit between the brush 78 and a brush 93, (which hadpreviously been resting upon a block of insulating material 9t,) andthence through the wire to the electro-magnets 96 of a stroke-gong 97,and from thence by wire 98 to the ground-wire 59. The bringing of thisgong into the circuit causes the sounding ITO of the alarm in the localstation, the number of the building, 42, being first struck, and this isfollowed by the number of the iloor or circuit in which the tire hasoccurred. The tape at the central station receives a correspondingnumber of marks, the length of the floor-marks depending on the width ofthe ribs S9, 90, and 9i and the length of time for which the circuit isbroken. These ribs are therefore preierablymade as narrow as possible,and in practice it has been found desirable that the door should bedesignated merely by dots on the tape.

alarm 3, which is connected with the main inside line 42 by ashunt-circuit 43, thence through the brush 90, brush 100, brush 101, andthe brush 102 to the controlling-magnet 30 of the alarm 3, and fromthence back again to the return-circuit of the main line..

This magnet is of a resistance greater than the resistance of the entirebuilding-circuit, so that the current will normally pass throughthebuilding-circuit in placeof passingthrough the magnet. vVhen the wireis broken, however, the current passes through the shunt and theelectro-magnet 30 is energized and by attracting its armature causes therelease of the train of gears which operate the circuitbreakers 8 and 9and cause the making and breaking of the circuit between the brushes and100 the necessary number of times to sound the number of the station,42, and after the number of the station to print a shortdash on the tapeby the passage of the brush over the insulated portion 102, thus servingto indicate at the central station that the main line in the building isbroken. Aft-er the circuit-breaker has rotated the necessary four timesand the circuit-breaker 0 has completed a partial revolution the circuitis broken between the brushes 101 and 102, leading to thecontrolling-magnet and is established between the brush 101 andthe brush104, thus cutting out the magnet and keeping the line intact without theresistance of the magnet-coils. In the box or local station at the pointwhere the main-line wires 40 enter is a relay (illustrated more clearlyin Figs. 24 and 25) having two electro-magnets 105 and 106 of equalpower, the electro-magnet 105 being on the ingoing wire and theelectro-magnet 100 being on the outgoing wire of the main inside line.Between these electro-magnets is an armaturelever 107, pivoted at 108and acted upon by springs 109, which, aided by the equal attraction ofthe electro-magnets 105 and 100, keep the armature-lever central.Leading from the pivot-point 10S is a line 110, extending to aswitch-lever 111, and from thence passes a wire 112 to a brush 113 onthe portion 75 of the circuit-breaker 5. The outer end of thearmature-lever 107 is adapted to come into contact with either thecontact-point 114 or 115 when attracted by either electro-magnet, sothat in the event ot the current of the main building-line beinggrounded the current will on entering and passing over theelectro-magnet 105 of thc relay pass from thence through the main insideline to the ground, so that while the current is cut off the helix ofthe electro-magnet 106 the electro-magnet 105 is energized, causing theattraction of the armature 107 of the relay in the direction of thearrow, and thus establishing a circuit through the wires 112 and thecircuit-breaker 5, and from thence through the wire 57 to theelectro-magnet 30 of the alarm 1 to the battery 5S and ground. Thecontrolling-magnet is energized, the mechanical signaling-alarmoperated, and an alarm is sounded. The printer at the central station,however, will simply print the number of the building, 42 and Will notprint the long dash before the number, as is the case with a ground onthe circuit on the houseline, as before described, this being due to thefact that the current passes from the brush 05 to the brush 66 and fromthence through the main line 42 to the ground in the building whichcaused the sounding of the alarm, the narrow ring o1` insulatingmaterial being spanned by the brush 70 and the current passing throughsuch brush to the building-ground as offering the least resistance.

In order to provide for the sounding ot' the alarm in the event of thebreaking of the ingoing line and the consequent reversal at the centralstation of the current, theextra brushes G6 and 07 are provided, thecurrent in this case passing up through the main line 42 in the oppositedirection to that indicated by the arrows, and in the event of a tirethe circuit being completed by a thermostat or switch 30 from the mainline to the houseline on the upper floor and from thence passing out tothe ground on the lines 51, 54, 57, and 59, as before described. Thebrushes G6 and 67 cause the establishment of the circuit and the alarmbeing sounded by the making and breaking ot' the contact between thebrushes G6 and G7. Y

11G represents a strap-key for telegraphing and aiding in testing someof the lines, the key being connected to the'ground-wire 45 and havingimmediately under its free oriinger end two contact-points 117 11S,connected by the wire 44 with the main inside line.

In operation the current passes over the wire 4 4 to the contactpoints117 118 and from thence when in contact with the key to the Wire 45 tothe ground. In operating this key for telegraphing to the main stationit is necessary in order to prevent any action of the mechanicalsignaling-alarm 1 to openthe switch-lever 111, breaking the connectionbetween the wires 110 and 112. If this were not done, thegrounding of the currentby the key would cause the attraction of thearmature 107 and the passage of the current through the armature, thewires 110 and 112 to the circuit-breaker 5, and the consequent operationof the alarm 1. This circuit is convenient for testing the mechanicalalarm 1 and relay-contacts when necessary. In the event of the reversalof the current at the main station when the ingoing Inain line isbroken, the magnet 100 of the relay will be acted upon in the same wayas the magnet 105 in the action just described.

As previously described, the system is especially arranged with a viewof sounding alarms of lire under various conditions of the circuits.That condition (hereinabove num- ICO IIO

bercd 49) in which the main outside line is broken, grounded, andshort-eircuited, the main inside line broken and short-circuitcd, andthe local or building line broken and short-circuited presents thegreatest number of d isarrangements of the circuits under which an alarmcan be sounded. The other conditions (numbered from 1 to 85,respectively) are other combinations of these disarrangements.

To describe, first, the sounding` of an alarm with the incoming Wire ofthe main outside line broken, this would present no difficulty, as insuch an event the operator at the central station receives duc notice ofthe fact and reverses the current through the Wires by thc employment ofa second set of batteries and receiving-instruments, so that the currentthen passes into the building by the Wire heretofore described as theoutgoing Wire. In the event of the grounding of the main outside linethe ground at the central station is thrown off and the ground on theline acts as the ground for the central station. The short-circuiting ofthe main outside line cannot prevent the sounding of an alarm, sincewhen the line is grounded by an alarm of lire the current Will naturallypass through the ground-line as offering less resistance than thereturn-Wire of the main line. lith the main inside line broken after themechanical alarm 3 has sounded the circuit is established through theshunt 43 and the resistance of the electro-magnet 30 of the mechanicalsignaling-alarm 3 is cut out. Vhen the main inside line isshort-circuited at a point outside the box or local station, the resultis practically the same as with the short-circuiting of the main outsideline, the current seeking the ground as offering less resistance thanthe return through the main inside line and the main outside line. Whenthe buildingline is broken, the current Will travel in either directionfrom the break, according to the side of thei break on Which thethermostat or switch operated is located, the licor-circuits being atall times closed. The short-circuiting of the building-line Will have noeffect, as the building-line is at all times closed and is normally notenergized. The system Will sound an alarm with any one or with anycombination of any of these difiiculties or disarrangements of any andall of the circuits which may occur.

The system is so arranged as to provide for its being tested from timeto time, and in order to provide for this testing bythe inspector fromthe box or local station I employ the switch-lever 52, by which aconnection with the ground-line 59 may be made, the groundline beingconnected to a contact-piece 119 for that purpose.

Supposing the lever 52 to have made contact with the ground-line, acircuit is partially established, as follows: from groundwire andbattery 58 to switcl1-lever 52, through Wire 51 to brush 50, and toallof the branches 49, 61, and 63 on the floor-circuits. Now if it bedesired to test the circuit on the first floor the switch-lever 46 ismoved from the contactpoint 47 of the first-floor circuit and is movedinto contact with a contact-piece 120 and a ci rcuit established throughthe house-line onthc iirst floor down through the switch-lever 46,through the contact-piece 120 and a test-line 121 to a switch-lever122and a Wire 123 to the battery, and from thence to the ground-Wire 59,establishing a circuit which the battery energizes and causes theenergizing of the electro-magnet 48a and the consequent operation of itsannunciator.

If the system of the second floor is to bc tested, the current passes,as before, through the ground-wire 59, the contact-piece 119, theswitch-lever 52, the Wire 51, the brush 50, the metallic surface of thecircuit-breaker, the brush 01the Wire 00, the electro-magnet 48h, thecontact-piece 47, through the second-floor circuit, and from thence downthrough its switch-lever 46 to a contact-piece 124, to the test-Wire121, leading to the switch-lever 122, the Wire 123, and from thence tothe battery and the ground-Wire 59. In thc event of a break in thehouse-line the circuit will not be completed andthe magnet of thearmature Will not be energized, the inspector receiving notice by thatmeans of a broken Wire in that particular circuit, and if all of themagnets fail to operate it will indicate that the battery has failed orthat the connection from the battery to the test-line is broken. Theconnections leading to the third or other floors are exactly the same asthose described for the first and second floors.

If itbe desired to test the system and the mechanical signaling-alarmsWith a view of ascertaining that the circuits and alarms are inoperative order, the switch -lever 122 is moved into contact With acontact-piece 125, establishing a circuit from the main line 42 throughthe contact piece 125 and from thence through the testing-line 121 tothe contact-piece 120 or the contact-piece 124. or other contact-pieceon any one of the floorcircuits from which a circuit can be establishedto the floors, and by moving one or other of the levers 46 the circuitis established from the main line directly through the houseline andfrom thence through one or other of the Wires 48, 60, or 62, and fromthence passing through the system to sound au alarm, as beforedescribed.

If it be desired to test only the mechanical signaling-alarm 1, thecontact is made only for a sufficient length of time to set thatinstrument into operation, and the circuit is then broken, and as thereis no battery or energizing force on the circuit between the alarm 1andthe alarm 2 the alarm 2 Will not be operated unless thetesting-switches are held closed for a sufficient length of time tooperate this instrument 2 also.

In Fig. 26 I have shown a form ofA annunciater which may bc used, itconsisting simply of an electro-magnet and an armature 126,

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having a projecting toe 127, which is normally in engagement with an arm128 on a weighted shutter 129.

.Fig 27 shows an ordinary form of lightning-arrester which may beemployed, and Fig. 28 illustrates a sectional view of a thermostat whichI may employ in carrying ont my lnvention, although any ordinary orwellknown form ot' thermostat or switch may be employed.

Referring now to Fig. 2, which represents the instruments commonlyemployed at the central station, the ingoing wire 42 to the centralstation passes through one side ot a lightningarrester and switchboard130, from thence to a resistance-coil131, a con tact-point 132, anarmature-lever 133, from thence to the main wire 42, to the main battery133, to a vstrap-key 134, through relaymagnets 135,

through an ammeter 136 forindicatingthe strength of the current, andfrom thence out through the lightning-arrester and switchboard 130 tothe system in which is the build- 111g to be protected. Then an alarmof` tire or trouble from a building comes in, thecurrent is directedfrom the outgoing wireot` the central station through the mechanicalsignaling alarm or alarms at the local station and from thence to theground, from the ground through the lightning-arrester and switchboard130 to the wire 59, through aswitch-lever 137, and from thence throughelectro-mag- .net 138 on the annunciator to the main wire 42, leading tothe main battery. The energizing of this electro-magnet will cause the'shutter 72 of the annunciator to fall, indicating the circuit in whichthe alarm has been sounded, and the annunciator is provided with an arm139, which when the shutter falls presses against the armature 133 andbreaks the contact between the contact-point 132 and the armature-lever133 untilthe trouble in that circuit has been attended to. Theconstruction of this annunciator, however, forms the subject of aseparate application for patent, filed of even date herewith, Serial No.

415,056. The com pleting of the circuit through the wires 59 and 42 andthe relay-magnets 135 causes the attraction at all times of the armature140 of the relay. When, however, this circuit is broken by the makingand breaking of the circuit by one of the mechanical alarms in thebuilding, the armature-lever 140 is released from the control of therelaymagnets 135 and is then operated upon by a spring 141, which movesit into contact with a contact-point 142, the length of time lfor whichit remains in contact with the contact-point 142 depending on the lengthof time for which the circuit is broken, while the continuous making andbreaking of the f corresponding movement of the armature-lever 140. Thismovement causes the closing and opening ot a circuit from a localbattery 143 through a wire 144, a switch-lever '145, and a wire 146,leading from one end of the armature-lever 140, through theelectro-magnets 147 of a stroke-gong to the printing-register. 73, theelectro-magnets of the register being energized for the same length oftime as the main line is broken and the alarm printed on the tape. Ifthe incoming line to the central station is broken, the magnets 135 otthe relay are not energized, and the armature-lever 140 then restsnormally against the contact-point 142, the main circuit in this casetraveling from the main battery out through the relay and am meter tothe break and remaining open until it is closed by the operation of voneof the mechanical alarms, which causes the grounding of the main circuitand completes the circuit through the relay, energizing the magnets ot'the relay and causing the attraction of the armature 140 to acontact-point 14S. In this event the switchlever 145 is thrown over to acontact-point 149 and the local circuit from the battery 143 remainsnormally open until it is closed by the contact of the armature-lever140 with the contact-point 142, causing the closing ot the circuit andthe consequent operation ot the printing-register` 73. V

Throughout the specification and claims the term main line or mainoutside line is used to designate that line extending from the box orlocal stat-ion to the central receiving-station. The term main insideline7 or main building-line is used to designate the main-line wire orwires connected normally to the main outside wire at the box or localstation and extending therefrom through the building. The termbuilding-line or local line is used to designate those circuitsconnecting the thermostats, the annnnciators, and circuit-breakers andindicated in light lines in the drawings. The term test-line has beenused to designate those lines which are energized from the battery whenit is desired to test portions of the local line, and the term ground-line is used to designate those lines shown as extending from thevarious instru ments to the earth and illustrated by heavy waved linesin the drawings.

Details of construction may be varied-as, for instance, in the forms ofswitches, alarms, and. other instruments.

By the term circuit-breakerI wish to include anything in the nature of awheel or disk.

In applications filed of even date herewith, Serial Nos. 415,054 and415,055, I have described and claimed the features of construc- IOO IIO

tion of the mechanical signaling-alarms and to thelocal station andthrough the building,

`the building-circuits, a thermostat or switch normally open and havingone of its ends connected tothe main line and its opposite end connectedto the building-circuit, a mechanical sign aling-alarm operating acircuit-breaker, said mechanical signalingalarm being normally locked,an electro-magnet in the bination of the receiving-station and itsinstruments,the mainline extending therefrom to the local station andthrough the building, the building-circuits, a thermostat or switchnormally open and connected to the main line and tothe building-circuit,a mechanical signaling-alarm carrying a circuit-breaker, said mechanicalsignaling-alarm being normally locked, an electro-magnet in the building-ci'rcuit controlling the locking devices of said mechanicalsignaling-alarm, and a second circuit-breaker operated by the mechanicalsignaling-.alarm and normally connected to the main line, substantiallyas specified.

In an electric tire-alarm system, the combination of thereceiving-station and its instruments, the mainline ext-ending therefromto the local station and through the building, the buildingcircuits,brushes thereon in elecrical contact with a circuit-breaker 5, thecircuitbreaker 5, a mechanical signalingalarm carrying saidcircuit-breaker 5, an armature-lever controlling the rotation of thesame, an electro-magnet in the building-circuit controlling saidarmature-lever, a circuitbreaker 4, contact-brushes on the main line incontact with said circuit-breaker4, and a means of indicating a groundon the main inside line, comprising', in connection with the aforesaidmechanical signaling-alarm and its circuit-breakers 4 and 5, arelay-magnet 105 on the ingoing wire of the main inside line, arelay-magnet 106 on the outgoing wire of said line, an armature-levermounted `between said magnets and'normally acted upon by said magnetswith equal force, a branch of the main line extending from saidarmature-lever to the circuit-breaker 5, a contact-point 114, and acontact-point 115 on the main line, whereby on the grounding of thecurrent at a point on the train inside line the current is diverted tothe ground, substantially as specified.

4. In an electric tire-alarm system, the combination of thcreceiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending therefromto the local station and through the building, the building-circuits,brushes thereon in electrical contact with a circuit-breaker 5, thecircuit-breaker 5, a mechanical signaling-a-larm carrying saidcircuit-breaker 5, an armaturelever controlling the rotation of saidcircuitbreaker 5, an electro-magnet in the buildingcircuit controllingsaid armature-lever, a circuit-breaker 4, and contactbrushes on the mainline in contact with said circuit-breaker 4, substantially as specified.

5. In an electric tire-alarm system, the coinbination of thereceiving-station and itsinstruments, the main line extending therefromto the local station and through the building, the building-circuit, athermostat or switch adapted to connect the main line to thebuilding-circuit, a circuit-breaker 6, mechanism for rotating the same,brushes in contact with said circuit-breaker, the building-circuitselectrically connected to said brushes, circuitbreaker, mechanism forrevolving the same, a brush 55 in contact with said circuit-breaker andelectricall y connected to a brush 50 in contact with thecircuit-breaker 6, an electro-magnet in a circuit of which a brush 56 incontact with the circuit-breaker 5, forms a terminal, a battery in themagnet-circuit, the circuit-- breaker4, brushes electrically connectedtothe main inside line and in contact with said circuit-breaker, a brush'76, normally in contact with the insulated portion of thecircuit-breakm .er 5 an electro-magnetin a circuit of which the brush 76forms a terminal, said electro-magnet controlling the mechanism forrevolving the circuit-breaker 6, and a conducting portion 74 on thecircuit-breaker 5, which when brought into contact with the brush 7Gserves to complete the circuit through the electromagnet controlling therotation of circuitbreaker (i, substantially as specified.

6. In an electric fire-alarm system, the coinbination of thereceiving-station and its instruments, themain line extending therefromto the local station and through the building, the building-circuits,thermostats or switches adapted to connect the main line to thebuilding-circuits, a circuit-breaker 6, a series of brushes in contacttherewith, one of said brushes being electrically connected to eachbuilding-circuit, stepped ribs of insulating material on saidcircuit-breaker 6, a contactbrush 50, mechanism for rotating thecircuitbreaker (i, and an electro-magnet adapted to lock said mechanism,said electro-magnet being in a normally-open circuit extending from thebrush 50 to the ground, with means for closing the circuit andenergizing the said. electro-magnet to effect the release of themechanism, substantially as specified.

'7. In an electric fire-alarm system, the combination of thereceiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending therefromto the local station and through the building, the building-circuit,thcrmostats or switches adapted to connect the main line to thebuilding-circuit, annunciator magnets on said IOC IIO

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building-circuits,a circuit-breaker G, a series of brushes in contacttherewith, said brushes being electrically connected to thebuildingcircuit, stepped ribs of insulating material on saidcircuit-breaker (3, a brush 50, normally in contact with saidcirciLiit-breaker, mechanism for rotating the circuit-breaker G, and anelectro-inagnet normally acting to lock said mechanism, said magnetbeingin a noi'mally-open circuit extending from the brush 50 to theground, with means for automatically closing the circuit and energizingthe said magnet lo effect the release of the mechanism, substantiallyasspecified.

8. In an electric lire-alarm system, the combination of thereceiving-station and its instrumentS, the main line extendingtherefromtothe local station and through the building, the building-circuits,thermostats or switches adapted to connect the main line to thebuilding-circuit,`a circuit-breaker 6, a series of brushes in contacttherewith, one of said brushes being electrically connected to eachbuilding-circuit, contact-brushes electrically connected to the mainline and in con tact with the circuit-breaker, a contact-brush 50,mechanism for rotating the circuit-breaker (i, and

' an electro-magnet adapted to lock said mechanisin, said electro-magnetbeing in a normally-open circuit extending from thebrush 50 to theground, with means for closing the circuit and energizing saidelectro-magnet to effect the release of the mechanism, substantially asspecified.

9. Inan electric fire-alarm system, the combination of thereceiving-station and its instru ments, the main line extendingtherefrom to the local station and through the building and normallyforming a closed circuit, a circuit-breaker G, through which saidcircuit is closed, means for rotating said circuit-breaker, andcontact-brushes on the main line in electrical contact with thecircuit-breaker G, whereby on the rotation of the circuit-breaker thecircuit through the main line is alternately broken and made,substantially as specified.

10. In an electric fire-alarm system, the combination of a centralreceiving-station and its instruments, the `main line extendingtherefrom to the ,local station and through the building, thebuilding-circuits, thermostats or switches adapted to connect the maininside line to lthe building-circuits, a circuit-breaker ti, comprisingrings S2, S3, and Si, insulated from each other, alternate insulated andcond uctingportions on said circuit-breaker (5, contact-brushes on themain inside line in contact With said insulated portions S2 and 83,stepped ribs of insulating material on the portion Si of saidcircuit-breaker, a series of brushes on the building-circuits in contactwith said portion Si, a brush 50, mechanism for rotating saidcircuit-breaker an electroxnagnet controlling said mechanism, saidelectro-magnet beingiin a normally-open circuit extending from the brush50 to the groundJ and means for automatically closing said cir- -cuitand energizing the said electro-magnet to effect the release of themechanism, substantially as specified.

11. ln a fire-alarm system, the combination of the receiving-station andits instruments, the main line extending therefrom to the local stationand through the building, the local lines, a thermostat or switchbetween such local line and the main line, circuit-breakers 6 and 7,mechanism for rotating the same, contact-brushes on the main line incontact with said circuit-breaker 6, brushes on the local line incontact with said circuit-breaker', and an electro-magnetic bell, theconducting and -insulating portion ofthe circuit-breaker 7 being soarranged that after the,circuit-breakers have started their rotation thecurrent will.

be directed through the circuit-breaker 7 to the electro-magnets of thebell, substantially as specified.

12. In an electric fire-alarm system, the combination of areceiving-station and its instru- `men-ts, the main line extendingtherefrom to the local station and through the building, the locallines, a circuit-breaker G, mechanism for rotating the same, anelectro-magnet for controlling the movement of said mechanism, brusheson the local lines in electrical contact with the conducting-surface ofthe'circuitbreaker G, and a norm ally-open circuit extending from thecircuit-breaker 6 through the electro-magnet to the earth, substantiallyas specified.

13. In an electric lire-alarm system, the combination of areceiving-station and-its instruments, the main line extending therefromto the local station and through the building, the circuit-breaker 6,the local lines, brushes on said local lines in electrical contact withthe conducting-surface of said circuit-breaker G, `annunc'iator-magnetson said local lines, annunciator for the floor-circuits operated by saidannunciator1nagnets, mechanism for rotating said circuit-breaker 6, anelectro-magnet controlling said mechanism, and a normally-open circuitextending from said circuit-breaker through the electro-magnet to theearth, substantially as specified.

14:. In an electric fire-alarm system, the combination of areceiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending therefromto the local station and through the building, the local lines` acircuit-breaker, mechanism for rotating the same, and an electro-magnetcon- -trolling said mechanism, said circuit-breaker having a series ofribs of insulating material stepped in length, with brushes on the localcircuit under which said ribs pass, and a normally-open circuitextending from said circuit-breaker through the electro-magnet to theearth, substantially as specified.

15. In an electric fire-alarm system, the combination of areceiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending therefromto the local station and through the building, a circuit-breaker in saidlocal station, the main ingoing wire having its circuit completed IOSthrough one side of the conducting portions of the circuit-breaker andthe main outgoing' line having its circuit completed through theconducting portions of the opposite side of the circuit-breaker, and aground-wire, and a brush on said ground-Wire normally in contact withthe insulated portion of said circuit-breaker and so arranged as to comeinto contact with both of the conducting portions of said circuitbreakeron the rotation of the latter, substantially as specified.

1G. In an electric lire-alarm system, the combination oi the centralreceiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending therefromto the local station and through the building, a shunt on said mainline, an electro-magnet ot' high resistance in said shunt, a mechanicalsignaling-alarm controlled by said resistance-magnet, and acircuit-breaker adapted to make and break the main-line circuit throughthe shunt, substantially as specified.

` 17. In an electric lire-alarm system, the combination of thereceiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending therefromto the local station and through the building, an electro-magnet, ashunt on said main line on which said electro-magnet is placed, amechanical signaling-alarm controlled by said electro-magnet, andcircuit-breakers carried by said mechanical alarm, the arrangement ofconducting-surface of one of said circuitbreakers being such that afterthe electromagnet has once been energized the current through saidelectro-magnet is cut oit, substantially as specified.

1S. In an electric fire-alarm system, the combination of areceiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending therefromto one or more local stations, and a means of indicating a break in saidmain-line wire, comprising a shunt-circuit, an electro-magnet therein ofa higher resistance than the resistance through the main line, a trainof gears, an armature-lever under the control of said electro-magnetnormally locking such train of gears, and a circuit-breaker carried bysaid train of gears, substantially as specified.

l5). In an electric fire-alarm system, the combination of thereceiving-station and its instruments, the mainline extending therefromto one or more local stations, and a means of indicating a break in saidmain-line wire, comprising a shunt-circuit, an electro-magnet therein ofa higher resistance than the resistance of the main line, anarmature-lever under the control of said magnet, a mechanical alarmnormally locked by said armature-lever, and circuit-breakers carried bysaid mechanical alarm, one of said circuit-breakers being provided withalternate insulating and conducting portions and adapted to make andbreak the ci rcuitthrough said shunt and main lineandtheotherofsaidcircuit-breakersbeing adapted to cut oi the flow ofcurrent through the electro-magnet after it has once-been energized,whereby the resistance of such magnet to the passage of the current isavoided, substantially as specified.

20. In an electric fire-alarm system,fthe combination of the main line,the local lines, a ground-Wire, a local batterybetween such. local linesand the ground-wire, and annunciators on said local lines with switchesfor connecting the local lines tothe ground-wire and battery for thepurpose of energizing the circuit, substantially as'specitied.

21. A fire-alarm system comprising the main line, the local linesforming closed circuits, thermostats or switches between such locallines and main line, annunciator-magnets on said local lines, a-battery,and a test-line having contact-points extending to said batter 7, withswitches for connecting the local lines to the contact-points of suchtest-line,substantially as specified.

22. In a fire-alarm system,the combination of the mainline, the locallines, thermostats or switches betweem said main line and the locallines, a circuit-breaker 6, mechanism for rotating the same, anelectro-magnet controlling said mechanism, contact-brushes on the locallines normally in contact with said circuit-breaker 6, thecircuit-breakers i and 5, brushes on'the main line in contact with saidcircuit-breaker 4, brushes on the local lines in contact with saidcircuit-breaker 5, mechanism for rotating said circuit-breakers 4t and5, an electro-magnet controlling said mechanism, and a normally-opencircuit extending from said circuit-breaker 6 through the electro-magnetto the ground, substantially as specified.

23. In a lire-alarm system, thecombination of the main line extendingfrom the central. station through the building, the local lines,thermostats or switches between said main lineand the local lines, acircuit-breaker 6, brushes on the local lines in contact with saidcircuitbreaker 6, mechanism for rotatingsaid circuitbreaker, acircuit-breaker 4, brushes on the main line in contact with saidcircuit-breaker 4, mechanism for rotating the same, an electromagnetcontrollingsaid mechanism, and a normally-open circuit extending `fromsaidfcircuit-breaker 6 through the electro-magnet to the earth,substantially as specified.

2l. In an electric lire-alarm system, the combination ofthe main lineextending from a receiving-station through the building, the locallines, thermostats or` switches between said local lines and the mainline, annunciator-magnets on said local lines, the circuitbreaker 6,brushes on the local lines inA contact with said circuit-breaker G,mechanism forrotating said circuit-breaker, a circuit-breaker 4, havinginsulated and conducting portions brushes on the main line in contacttherewith, mechanism for rotating the said circuitbreakerfl, anelectro-magnet controlling said mechanism, and a normally-open circuiteX- tending from said circuit-breaker 6 through the electro-magnet tothe earth, substantially as specified.

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25. In an electric lire-alarm system, the combination of thereceiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending therefromto the local station and through the building, the local lines,thermostats or switches between the said main line and the local lines,the circuit-breakerI 6, having ribs of insulating material stepped inlength, brushes on the local lines in contact with said circuit-breaker,a circuit-breaker 4, brushes on the main line in contact therewith,mechanism for rotating said circuit-breaker 4, an electro-magnetcontrolling said mechanism, and a normally-open circuit extending fromsaid circuit-breaker 6 through the electro-magnet to the earth,substantially as specilied.

26. In an electric tire-alarm system, the combination of areceiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending therefromto the local station and through the building, the local lines,thermostats or switches between the said main line and the local lines,the circuit-breaker 6, having ribs of insulating material stepped inlength, brushes on the local lines in contact with said circuit-breaker6, a circuit-breaker 4, brushes on the mainline in contact with saidcircuit-breaker 4, mechanism for rotating said circuit-breaker, anelectro-magnet controlling said mechanism, a normally-open circuitextending from said circuit-breaker 6 through the electro-magnet to theearth, and a battery on said normallyopen circuit, substantially asspecified.

27. In an electric fire-alarm system, the combination of areceiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending to alocalstation and through the building, local lines, thermostats or switchesbetween said main line and the local lines, a circuit-breaker 6,comprising insulated rings S2, S3, and 84, contact-brushes on the locallines in contact with the portion 84,a circuit-breaker 4, brushes on themain line in contact with said circuitbreaker 4, mechanism for rotatingsaid circuit-breakers, an electro-magnet controlling said mechanism, anormally-open circuit extending from the portion S4 through theelectro-magnet to the earth, and contact-brushes on the main line incontact with the portions S2 S3 of the circuit-breaker 6, substantiallyas specified.

28. In an electric lire-alarm system, the combination of areceiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending to alocal station and through the building, the local lines, thermostats orswitches between said main line and the local lines, a circuit-breaker,a ring 84 thereon, mechanism for rotating the same, contact-brushes onthe local lines in contact with said ring S4, a circuit-breaker 4,brushes on the main line in contact with said circuit-breaker 4, acircuit-breaker 5, mechanism for rotating said circuit-breakers 4 and 5,an electro-magnet controlling said mechanism, a normally-open circuitextending from the portion S4 through brushes in contact with thecircuit-breaker 5 and from thence through the electro-magnet to theearth, an electro-magnet controlling the mechanism for rotating the ringS4, and a normally-open cirlcuit extending from a brush 7G, in contactwith the insulated portion of said circuit- `breaker 5, through theelectro-magnet controlling the mechanism for rotating the portion 84 tothe earth, and a conducting-surface 74 on the circuit-breaker 5, throughwhich the y circuit is completed on the stopping of the circuit-breaker,substantially as specified.

29. In an electric fire-alarm system, the combination of areceiving-station and its instrul ments, the main line extending to thelocal station and through the building, the local lines, thermostats orswitches between said y main line and the local lines, a circuit-breaker6, a ring S4 thereon, mechanism for rotating the same, contact-brusheson the local lines in contact with said ring S4, a circuit-breaker 4,brushes on the mainline in contact with said circuit-breaker' 4, acircuit-breaker 5, mechanism for rotating said circuit-breakers 4 and 5,anelectro-magnet controlling said mechanf ism, a normally-open circuitextending from the portion 84 through brushes 55 and 56 in Contact withthe circuit-breaker 5, and from `thencel through the electro-magnet tothe earth, an electro-magnet controlling the mechanism for rotating thering 84, and a normally-open circuit extending from a brush 76, incontact with the insulating portion of said circuit-breaker 5, throughthe electro-magnet controlling the mechanism for rotating the portion 84to the earth, and a cond ucting-surface 74 on the circuitbreaker 5,through which the circuit is completed on the stopping ofthecircuit-breaker, the circuit-breaker 7, and the electro-magnet 96 of theelectric bell 97, substantially as specified.

30. In an electric lire-alarm system, the combination of areceiving-station and its instruments, the -main line extending to thelocal station and through the building, the local lines, thcrmostats orswitches between said main line and the local lines, a circuit-breaker6, a ring 84 thereon, mechanism' for rotating the same, contact-brusheson the local lines in contact with said ring S4, a circuit-breaker 4,brushes on the main line in contact with said circuit-breaker 4, acircuit-breaker 5, mechanism for rotating said circuit-breakers 4 and 5,an electro-magnet for controlling said mechanism, a normally-opencircuit extending from the portion 84 through brushes 55 and 56 incontact with the circuit-breaker 5, and from thence through theelectro-magnet to the earth, an electro-magnet controlling the mechanismfor rotating the ring 84, and a normally-open circuit extending from abrush 76, in contact with the insulated portion of said circuit-breaker5, through the electro-magnet controlling the mechanism for rotating theportion S4 to the earth, and a conducting-surface 74 on thecircuit-breaker 5,

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through which the circuit is completed on the stoppiug'of thecircuit-breaker and the portions 82 and 83 of the circuit-breaker 6,substantially as specified.

3l. In an electric tire-alarm system, the combination of areceiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending to alocal station and through the building, the local lines,

thermostats or switches between said main line and the local lines, acircuit-breaker 6, a ring 84 thereon, mechanism for rotating the same,contact-brushes on the local lines in contact with said ring 84, acircuitbreaker 4, brushes on the main line in contact with saidcircuit-breaker 4, a circuit-breaker 5, mechanism for rotating saidcircuit-breakers 4 and 5 an electro-magnet controlling said mechant ism,a normally-open circuit extending from the portion 84 through brushes 55and 56 in contact with the circuit-brcaker 5, and from thence throughthe electro-magnet to the earth, an electro-magnet controlling themechanism for rotating the ring S4, and a normally-open circuitextending from a brush 76, in contact with the insulated portion of saidcircuitbreaker 5, through the electro-magnet controlling the mechanismfor rotating the portion 84 to the earth, and a conducting-surface 74011 the circuit-breaker 5, through which the circuit is completed on thestopping ot the circuit-breaker, and the annunciators on the localcircuits, substantially as specified.

n testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

LEWIS G. ROWAND. Vitnesses:

JNO. E. PARKER, HARRY SMITH,

